Is there an experienced bee keeper amongst the club who would offer me some mentoring in bee handling and beekeeping skills,

, who may also interested in learning along with me about top bar style hives ?

I,d be keen to come and join you at your apiary to observe and learn about how to handle bees and work on the hives in general, As I,m aware that all those skills are needed and transferable whatever type of hive is being used.

I,d be glad to hear from any club member who may be interested in taking on a beginner and who may also be interested in learning about a different style of bee keeping

I'm interested in this too, but I haven't had my bees for twelve months yet, so I'm not really in a position to mentor anybody. I'm about 6 miles west of Llanidloes, but we could co-ordinate building a warre/tanzanian for the apiary between us so that it is ready to go there when the initial fabric of the apiary (viewing area, bee fence etc) are in place. I see you at most meetings, so we can talk next time if not before.

Both these hive types are of little use for honey production. Not impossible, but difficult to get a clean product. Any form of extraction is likely to result in the loss of brood.

The other issue to consider is swarm control. Very difficult with log hives. Possible with top bar hives. Swarm control needs to be considered if you have near-by neighbours. They might not be comfortable with the dramatic sound of a swarm and the sight of a settled swarm on their patio!

I,ve now put my Warre hive up at the apiary in Gregynog , There should be bees in it later today ,

theres another Warre there too now, this one belongs to another member, Brandon, He,s still waiting for some bees,

Theres also a horizontal top bar hive ( commercially produced one )

not a very good example in my humble opinion , VERY basic , no legs, no dividers ,very basic pieces of wood as top bars ,just a piece of bare plywood as a roof, quite alot of extra work involved to make it a usable hive, and quite expensive for what you get ! but thats just my opinion,

Back at my home apiary I,ve put a recent swarm in my Horizontal top bar hive and yesterday added/united yet another swarm with a failed queen , theres plenty of lovely straight white comb being built but no eggs as yet ,they do have a queen (I,ve seen her !)

She is a virgin queen and I think the weather just hasn,t allowed her to go out to be mated yet ,

Fingers crossed and watch this space !

I,m just wondering if it might be possible to organise a meet or a training session to inform those interested about top bar hives , what would be the interest in such a session ?

please put names here to register interest and then perhaps we can set something in motion ,

Are there any other members who have a top bar or experience working with them ?

Design seems much better than that available from a "well known supplier". Apparently sides with an angle of 120 degrees are essential for management.

See also "The Quest for the Perfect Hive", by Gene Kritsky - ISBN 978-0-19-538544-1. Available from IBRA - see:- http://www.ibra.org.uk/ : (2010) Oxford University Press, Hardback. pp. 198. He suggests that beekeepers need to rediscover the innovative thinking of the 1800's. MBKA is leading the way in the Gregynog apiary!

Swienty; see http://www.swienty.com/shop/default.asp?catid=1166 have a stainless steel honey press, which would, I guess, be useful for honey extraction when using Top Bar or other systems where the traditional extraction methid might not work so well.

Forthcoming Events

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the MBKA. MBKA is a member of eBEES, a worldwide exchange scheme for the beekeeping press, sponsored by Northern Bee Books. Members of eBEES have the right to reproduce MBKA material free of charge provided that the source is acknowledged